Oakley C. Collins

Who is Oakley C. Collins?

Oakley C. Collins was a Republican member of the Ohio General Assembly. A former school teacher from Ironton, Ohio, Collins initially ran for the Ohio House of Representatives, winning a seat in 1946, and was reelected in 1948. He opted to move to the Ohio Senate in 1950, winning a seat to represent much of Appalachian Ohio. He won reelection in 1952, 1954, and 1956.

In 1958, Collins opted for a fifth term, but lost to Democrat J. Sherman Porter, a radio personality from Gallipolis. However, he opted again to run in 1962, after Ohio Senate terms grew to four years. He won, and was again seated in 1963 to the Seventh/Eighth District, and would go forth to serve as Chairman of the Education Committee. Following the Voting Rights Act of 1965, Collins was elected to the new 18th District in 1966, and reelected in 1968.

Following redistricting in 1972, Collins found himself drawn out of his current district and into a different. With the district he currently lived in not up for reelection until 1974, Collins opted to relinquish his Senate seat instead of running in the new district and instead seek a seat in the Ohio House of Representatives. He was successful, and was seated in the House for 1973.